Chapter 174 All Of Them Reese I’ve never understood how two people could be that obsessed with each other. My brother and his fiancée defy logic. It’s always Roman this, Roman that, or Sav this, Sav that. It’s nauseating. I swear, if I ever become that whipped over someone, just shoot me and put me out of my misery. Even when Penny and I used to have a thing, I was never besotted with her or anything of the sort. But Roman? He's utterly and completely besotted and obsessed, if I'm allowed to put it that way. I’d been planning to slip upstairs quietly earlier, but her cries stopped me. Loud, ugly sobs echoing through the kitchen. And for what reason? I didn’t even have to guess. She probably thought she’d disappointed Roman because the test turned out negative. As if that were possible. That man worships the ground she walks on. He’d sooner break the law of gravity than let Savannah feel like she’d failed him. And yet here she was—picking at her sandwich and sniffling like a kicked puppy.Unbelievable. I sighed, leaning against the counter. I am, without question, the only sane one in this house. Well—maybe me and that silly girl, Elizabeth. The rest of them are all nuts. “Will you cut that out? You’re pissing me off,” I snapped before I could stop myself. Savannah’s head jerked up, eyes swollen and red. I braced for one of her sharp little comebacks. Instead, she just whispered, “Sorry.” That threw me off more than anything else could have. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath, rubbing the back of my neck. I wasn’t good at… this. Comfort. Empathy. Emotional whatever-the-hell. I'd only opened that side of myself up to one woman. And that woman was six feet below now. But something felt off with Savannah. This wasn’t the fiery Savannah who used to throw barbs like knives. This one looked… small. Unraveling. Miserable. I wasn’t used to seeing her like this. She was supposed to be the strong one—the one who gave my brother headaches. Now she looked breakable. And I hated that it made me soft.Elizabeth glared at me from across the counter as if daring me to open my mouth again. I didn’t. Instead, I stood up, pushing my plate away. Savannah blinked at me. “What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” “I’m leaving,” I said, grabbing my phone, wallet, and keys. “I need to get something.” Elizabeth muttered something that sounded like, “Don’t pay him any attention, Sav,” as I walked out. Yeah, yeah. Like I was the villain here. I got into my car, started the engine, and drove off, no real destination in mind except the thought gnawing at me: if she was this emotional, she probably suspected something. And if she suspected something… she needed concrete answers. The kind that came in little white sticks. It didn’t take long to find a drugstore. I parked beside it, walked in, and was immediately greeted by a young redhead at the counter who gave me a look that said please ‘flirt with me.’ Too bad she lost interest the second I said, “Where are your pregnancy tests?” Her smile flatlined.She showed me to an aisle, listing off brands like I gave a damn. Honestly, they all looked the same. I didn’t know if I was supposed to buy one, three, or a dozen, so I did the only logical thing—I bought every brand she pointed at. When in doubt, overcompensate. I left the store with a bag full of test kits and tossed it onto the passenger seat. Mission accomplished. Then my phone started ringing. I checked the screen. The time read 2:57 p.m., and the name flashing across the screen made my jaw tighten. Penny. I almost didn’t pick up. But arrogance is a cruel trait. “Penny,” I said, leaning back. “Didn’t know you still had my number.” There was silence. Then her voice came through—soft, trembling. “Can you come see me? Please.” I smiled to myself. “Why, sweetheart? How’d the hearing go? I'm certain you killed it in there.” Another pause. Then, quietly, “I was taken off the defense team, Reese.” I nearly laughed out loud. Of course she was. Who knows what kind of disaster she’d caused there this morning. I'd pay anything to watch that shit show. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I drawled. “That must’ve been tough on Senator White’s boy.” She didn’t reply. Just breathed into the receiver for a moment before whispering, “I need you, Reese. Can you come over? Please.” For a split second, I almost gave in. The crack in her voice—it did something. But I reminded myself who I was. What I was doing. “I’ve got a lot to do,” I said smoothly. “And I’ve got an engagement tonight. Made plans earlier when you said you didn’t want to see me anymore. Didn’t know you’d change your mind so quickly.” There was a tiny sound on the other end. A breath caught between heartbreak and pride. “Oh. I see.” “Take care of yourself, Penelope.” Then I hung up. I stared at the phone for a long second before shoving it aside. I’d visit her later. But not now. She needed to break a little more first. I restarted the car and drove home. When I got back, Elizabeth was sprawled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching what looked like a horror movie on steroids. Blood everywhere. Heads rolling. Charming. She glanced at me, then at the bag in my hand. I didn’t ask where Savannah was. I didn’t have to. I already knew she was upstairs, crying her eyes out. I walked down the hall and stopped outside Roman and Savannah’s bedroom. And I knocked. “Savannah,” I said. “Open up. It’s Reese.” The door opened a few seconds later. Her eyes were swollen, her nose red, her cheeks damp. She looked like hell. “Do you need anything?” she asked, voice barely a whisper. I held out the bag. “Yeah. I need you to test all of them. That way you’ll be sure.” Her mouth opened, ready to argue, but I cut her off. “Don’t trust me. Don't argue. Just do it.” Something in my tone must’ve convinced her because she closed her mouth and nodded once. “I’ll be in the living room,” I said, turning away. But her hand shot out and caught my arm. I stopped. “Thank you, Reese.” The words were so soft I almost didn’t catch them.I nodded and walked off before I could say something that might sound like you’re welcome. ~~~~~ Elizabeth was still watching her bloodbath when I returned. I grimaced as another head flew across the screen. “Jesus Christ, can you get rid of this? It’s disturbing.” She popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth without looking at me. “I like it.” “Well, I don’t.” She gasped dramatically. “Oh my God, you’re squeamish.” “I’m not squeamish,” I said flatly. “You are squeamish.” “Elizabeth.” She grinned. “Say it. I’m squeamish.” I exhaled, long and slow. “Give me the remote. I’m changing this atrocity.” I wonder if I can see the televised hearing of Senator White’s son. “No way,” she said, hiding it behind her back. “I was here first.” “I’m the only sensible one here,” I muttered, reaching for it. “Nope.” She slid further down the couch, keeping the remote away. “Elizabeth,” I warned. “I don't have time for this.” She stood her ground. “Make me.” That did it. I leaned over the couch, reaching behind her. She fought back, squirming and laughing. “Stop moving—” “I said let go!” And then it happened. She lunged for the remote again, elbow digging into my ribs. “Jesus, you’re violent,” I muttered, keeping it out of reach. One more tug, and suddenly her weight shifted. She landed right on top of me, knees on either side of my thighs, her frame pressed flush against mine. Great. Just great. “Give. Me. The. Remote,” she said through clenched teeth, trying to reach behind me.“Elizabeth,” I ground out. “You’re—” “Give it!” “—causing a situation down there.” She froze. Slowly, her gaze drifted down to where our bodies met. “Get off,” I muttered. “Give me back the remote,” she countered, defiantly. “Jesus Christ.” I hissed. “Get off me, are you trying to get me hard?” Before she could respond, someone cleared their throat. We both turned. Savannah stood there, pale and trembling, holding four test strips in her shaking hands. Her eyes glistened with tears. “Sav?” Elizabeth’s voice softened. She scrambled off me. “What's wrong?” I straightened, heart thudding. I assumed the worst—that the tests were negative again. I was already preparing some half-assed pep talk when she spoke. Her voice broke on the words. “It’s positive.” She looked between us, tears spilling freely now. “They’re all positive, Reese.” The air went still. For a moment, none of us spoke. Elizabeth’s mouth hung open. My mind replayed her words again and again, like it couldn’t quite process them. Positive. All of them. I blinked, leaning back against the couch. “Well,” I finally said, my voice low. “Looks like my brother’s going to be a father.” Savannah’s lips trembled. Elizabeth covered her mouth, eyes wide. And me? I just sat there, wondering exactly how my brother was such a lucky bastard to leave Blackwood Manor and still get a happy ending.